NFL notebook: Owners may vote on L.A. soon

IRVING, Texas — NFL owners have set a special meeting to deal with a possible relocation of teams to Los Angeles for Jan. 12-13 in Houston.

Seeking more information from the cities hoping to retain their franchises – St. Louis, Oakland and San Diego – and without a clear consensus on approval of either of the stadium proposals for Los Angeles, the owners essentially punted for five weeks.

THURSDAY'S GAME

PACKERS (7-4) at LIONS (4-7), 8:30 p.m.

Outlook: Lions have won three in a row with resurgent defense and a hot Matthew Stafford and, after beating Pack 18-16 last month, are in position to sweep a season series against their division rival for first time since 1991. Detroit has won three of past four meetings. Oppositely, the slumping Packers have been 1-4 since that 6-0 start, with the great Aaron Rodgers seeming pretty ordinary lately. Time for these teams’ directions to reverse field and find their normalcy, though. Bet on a big game from Rodgers and a couple of picks by Stafford.

Television: CBS, NFL Network

Prediction: Packers, 27-20

– Greg Cote, Miami Herald

The Rams, Raiders and Chargers are interested in moving to Los Angeles, which has not had an NFL franchise since 1994.

Colts owner Jimmy Irsay added that getting 24 owners to approve any of the proposals was a difficult chore.

“We want to hear more as we move forward in the next five weeks,” he said. “I think there will be a vote (in January).”

BROWNS: After weeks as a third-stringer, QB Austin Davis is the new starter – No. 24 for the club since 1999.

Coach Mike Pettine picked Davis over Johnny Manziel to start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The switch was necessary because Josh McCown broke his right collarbone Monday night against Baltimore and will miss the final five games.

• The Browns signed wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, bringing him back after cutting him at the end of training camp.

STEELERS: QB Ben Roethlisberger was removed from the NFL’s concussion protocol and said he’s been cleared to play Sunday night against the Colts.

CHARGERS: The Chargers fired special teams coordinator Kevin Spencer with five games left in a miserable season.

JETS: Darrelle Revis might have to sit out his showdown with Odell Beckham Jr.

The New York Jets’ cornerback was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol, leaving his status uncertain for the game Sunday against the Giants.

Revis was injured at Houston on Nov. 22 and sat out the Jets’ 38-20 win over Miami last Sunday. Revis has not practiced since being hurt and Coach Todd Bowles said he hasn’t even been able to attend team meetings.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.